Semax · research summary

Novel Insights into the Protective Properties of ACTH(4-7)PGP (Semax) Peptide at the Transcriptome Level Following Cerebral Ischaemia-Reperfusion in Rats.

Genes · 2020. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

Transcriptome analysis (RNA-Seq) in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)
“Here, using RNA-Seq analysis, we investigated the protective properties of the Semax peptide at the transcriptome level under tMCAO conditions.”

Subjects

Male Wistar rats
“White 2-month-old male rats of the Wistar line (weight, 200–250 g) were obtained from the Experimental Radiology sector in A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, Obninsk, Russian Federation.”

Sample size

Three animals per comparison group for RNA-Seq analysis
“Each of the comparison groups (IS4.5, IS24, IR4.5 and IR24) included three animals (n = 3).”

Reported findings

Semax administration resulted in 394 differentially expressed genes at 24 hours post-occlusion compared to saline controls
“We have identified 394 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (>1.5-fold change) in the brains of rats at 24 h after tMCAO treated with Semax relative to saline.”
Semax suppressed the expression of genes related to inflammatory processes
“Following tMCAO, we found that Semax suppressed the expression of genes related to inflammatory processes and activated the expression of genes related to neurotransmission.”
Semax activated the expression of genes related to neurotransmission
“Following tMCAO, we found that Semax suppressed the expression of genes related to inflammatory processes and activated the expression of genes related to neurotransmission.”

Limitations stated by the authors

Lack of data confirming changes in protein levels or functional evidence for the detected mRNA expression changes
“The major limitation of our study is the lack of data confirming the change in the protein level of mRNA expression of detected DEGs, and any functional evidence supporting the change in the mRNA expression of these genes.”

Source: PubMed 32580520 · DOI 10.3390/genes11060681 · all study summaries

Reported findings

Semax administration resulted in 394 differentially expressed genes at 24 hours post-occlusion compared to saline controls

“We have identified 394 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (>1.5-fold change) in the brains of rats at 24 h after tMCAO treated with Semax relative to saline.”

Semax suppressed the expression of genes related to inflammatory processes

“Following tMCAO, we found that Semax suppressed the expression of genes related to inflammatory processes and activated the expression of genes related to neurotransmission.”

Semax activated the expression of genes related to neurotransmission

“Following tMCAO, we found that Semax suppressed the expression of genes related to inflammatory processes and activated the expression of genes related to neurotransmission.”

Limitations stated by the authors

Lack of data confirming changes in protein levels or functional evidence for the detected mRNA expression changes

“The major limitation of our study is the lack of data confirming the change in the protein level of mRNA expression of detected DEGs, and any functional evidence supporting the change in the mRNA expression of these genes.”